The United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned legendary Mexican soccer star Rafael Marquez, also known as “Rafa,” singer Julión Álvarez and 21 other Mexican nationals for alleged ties to a top drug trafficker.

Treasury Department officials said in a statement that the actions taken by the OFAC were made with the expressed knowledge and cooperation of the Mexican government.

The move freezes any assets the sanctioned individuals possess within the jurisdiction of the U.S. government and bars any citizens from conducting transaction associated with
designated people or businesses.

Mexican soccer legend RafaMarquez and Julion Alvarez sanctioned for alleged ties to a top drug trafficker

A multi-year federal investigation linked Marquez, Alvarez and the 21 other individuals to Raul Flores Hernandez, the leader of an international drug trafficking network with ties to two powerful Mexican cartels, John E. Smith, director of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said in the statement.

“Flores Hernandez has operated for decades because of his longstanding relationships with other drug cartels and his use of front financial persons to mask his investments
of illegal drug proceeds,” Smith said.

Marquez currently captains the Mexican national team.

Over the course of his successful decade-long career, Marquez became the first Mexican player to lift the UEFA Champions League when he played for FC Barcelona in
Spain.